89  
Bodega Argento ‘Reserva’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 
Mendoza, Argentina $14.40 (164764) 14.0% alcohol
This was stainless-steel fermented and matured nine months in 75% French and 25% American oak. Perfumed aromas of dark berry fruit, mocha and cherry cordial abound. It bathes the palate with a smooth, round flow of rich, ripe dark fruit—black plum, dark cherry and black currant jelly. This is medium weight with good density and concentration. It offers up a tang-infused, fruit-forward finish underpinned by smooth, soft tannin. Pour alongside burgers, grilled sausages or meat-laden red pizza. (Vic Harradine)

87  
Bodega Argento ‘Seleccion’ Chardonnay 2017 
Mendoza, Argentina $11.10 (591701) 13.5% alcohol
Lightly oaked—only 10% of this wine saw 2 months in French oak and malolactic conversion. Tropical fruit aromas waft from the glass preceding a medium-bodied nicely textured wash of green pear, Key lime and white grapefruit pith. The juicy dry finish is mouth-watering good. Pour with pan-seared, baked or grilled seafood, lemon chicken or prawn ceviche. (Vic Harradine)

• Michèle Bosc, part of the family who own and manage Château des Charmes, passed away in early 2019. Aligoté was one of her favourite wines and the family has now commemorated this wine to her. The following 2018 Château des Charmes ‘Cuvèe Michèle – Estate Bottled’ Aligoté is crisp, fresh and lively, sourced from their estate vineyards of the vitis vinifera Burgundy grape - Aligoté. It saw no oak. If you haven’t tried this, you owe it to yourself to pick one up.

91   
Château des Charmes ‘Cuvèe Michèle – Estate Bottled’ Aligoté 2018 
VQA Niagara-on-the-Lake $15.95 (296848) 13.0% alcohol
This is dry, crisp and refreshing with oodles of fruit flavour and excellent tang, and a price-quality balance that tips in your favour. Aromas of pear, apple and citrus is a clarion call for the delectable river of flavour that fills the palate—yellow nectarine, green apple and lemon curd intertwined with excellent acidity and plenty of charm. This sips well on its own and is versatile at the table. I tried mine with roasted beet salad with herb-crusted goat cheese, baby lettuce and mustard vinaigrette – delicious. (Vic Harradine)

89 
Stoneleigh Sauvignon Blanc 2018
Marlborough $17.95 (293043) 13.0% alcohol
A nice cocktail of tropical fruit—pineapple, passionfruit and lime— dusted with white pepper opens the door to this medium-bodied fragrant Marlborough staple wine. A crisp wash of tangy flavours travels the palate with vivacity and freshness where passionfruit and pink grapefruit flavours mingle nicely with mineral and peppery notes in the finish and aftertaste. An excellent choice to pair with coconut shrimps or simply enjoy on its own. (Louise Boutin)

88 
Stoneleigh Pinot Noir 2017
Marlborough $18.95 (54353) 13.0% alcohol 
Look for aromas of beet root, red cherry, dry bay leaf and a fermentation note in this new-world pinot. Medium-bodied with soft tannin and medium acidity, it replays the aroma profile on the palate with baking spice and herbaceous flavours in the finish and aftertaste. Pour now with roasted beet salad and herb vinaigrette. (Louise Boutin)

90  
Sacred Hill Sauvignon Blanc 2018
Marlborough $18.95 (489112) 12.5%
Lifted, lively aromas of gooseberry, piquant spice and hints of flinty/mineral notes abound on the nose of this lovely, well-balanced, rich-in-flavour Kiwi. It captures the palate with a dry, tingling stream of medium-weight, nicely textured lime zest, minerality, yellow plum and peach. It finishes in a crescendo of racy tang and ripe pit fruit forming a lip-smacking finish and aftertaste. Remove from refrigeration 15 minutes before serving. Pour with chèvre crumbled over olive-oil dressed arugula or skillet-seared white fish with a squeeze of fresh lemon. (Vic Harradine)

90  
Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc 2018
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand $17.95 (308288) 13.0% alcohol
There are herbal notes, gooseberry, citrus and minerality aromas galore on the nose of this medium-weight, nicely textured and well-balanced beauty. It bathes the palate with crisp, refreshing flavours of lemon zest and Key lime pie mingling with wisps of mineral notes. It finishes in a dazzling array of lime, lemon and passionfruit, lengthy and lip-smacking good. Pour with pan-seared fish or grilled prawns. (Vic Harradine)